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Seasons Greetings from The Arc's Forestville Center:  Help Support the Holiday Appeal!


With your support, The Arc opened its new Forestville Center this year. This multipurpose center houses our Employment Services Division, Office Skills Training Program, and Staff Development Center.


Proceeds raised last year, unfortunately, did not cover the approximately $40,000 The Arc had spent to get this facility up and running--things like furnishings, audio-visual equipment, signs to let people know we are here, and computers for the Office Skills Training Program.    

 

So this year, we are dedicating our holiday appeal to helping recoup the reserve funds spent furnishing our Forestville Center. Please give generously! Your gift of $250 to the Holiday Appeal also secures your membership in the prestigious Arc Society.

 

Look for our letter in your mailbox in the next few days, or click here to make an online donation, and select "Holiday Gift" from the designation drop-down menu.  Contact Tiffany Balmer at [email protected] for more information.

 

See more photos of the Forestville Center by clicking here!  

 

Write the County Executive
Please take a moment and write County Executive Rushern Baker and ask him to place $2 million in the county's Fiscal Year 2016 to supplement the wages of direct care professionals working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's time for our County to help assure that our direct support workers are adequately compensated for the valuable services they provide to Prince Georgian's with disabilities. For background information, go to our fair wages information page.
     
   
    
      
Upcoming Events December 2014 
Residential Staff Holiday Party
12/12/2014

The Arc Board Meeting
12/11/2014

LISS Application Assistance Session
12/15/2014

ADDCAC
12/17/2014

Day Centers Holiday Party
12/19/2014

Employment Services Holiday Party
12/19/2014

 

Maryland Sibling Network

01/18/2015 

 

Transition 101
01/21/2015

SECAC
1/27/2015  
Leadership Graduates

 

On Monday, December 8th, professionals from across all Maryland chapters of The Arc graduated from Leadership-The Arc," an executive development program. This two-year series of seminars introduced rising leaders to a range of topics, from ethics, and public relations, to an introduction to all state-wide advocacy organizations. Held at Newton White Mansion, the final session included a special panel, "Lessons Learned," anecdotes and advice from the Executive Directors of county and our state chapters.

 

Afterward, the group was joined by special guest Peter Berns, Executive Director of The Arc US, and prior program graduates to enjoy a buffet luncheon and recognition ceremony. "This program has given us so much information and many resources," said Audrey Weaver, Director of Human Resources at The Arc Prince George's County. "Plus, it's been beneficial to get to know our colleagues from other chapters and look at different ways of approaching our work." Congratulations to all graduates!

Long-Awaited ABLE Act About to be Passed

 

Keep your fingers crossed! Congress is about to pass The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2013, better known as The ABLE Act.  

 

This Act would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The bill aims to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. The bill would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary's employment, and other sources.  

 

An ABLE account could fund a variety of essential expenses for individuals, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. The ABLE Act provides individuals with disabilities the same types of flexible savings tools that all other Americans have through college savings accounts, health savings accounts, and individual retirement accounts. The legislation also contains Medicaid fraud protection against abuse and a Medicaid pay-back provision when the beneficiary passes away. It will eliminate barriers to work and saving by preventing dollars saved through ABLE accounts from counting against an individual's eligibility for any federal benefits program.

 

The House passed legislation last Wednesday, and the Senate is expected to follow quickly. It's great to see both sides of the Aisle working together on our behalf!

Valerie Williams Recognized as Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to Valerie Williams for being selected The Arc Prince George's County's Volunteer of the Year. Valerie received her award at the recent Awards Luncheon hosted by The Arc Maryland.

Valerie is a true Arc member sharing her time, expertise and wisdom with all levels of The Arc. She has been associated with The Arc Prince George's County since shortly after the birth of her son. Over the past three years, she has been an invaluable member of our Board of Directors and a leading advocate on our Governmental Affairs Committee. Valerie also sits on the board, finance, and governmental affairs committees of The Arc Maryland. This past fall she was awarded the Paul Marchand Fellowship at The Arc US. This fellowship has her working alongside our national governmental affairs staff. Valerie is a fine example of The Arc's next wave of volunteer leaders. Congratulations Valerie!
Tis the Season
ceramic snowman It's that time of year when friends, family members, and staff of The Arc join together to celebrate. Our Residential and Community Supported Living programs kicked off the season with their annual dinner and dance at Martin's Crosswinds.  Our Employment Services' party features a catered buffet and music at Prince George's Ballroom. This year, all four of our Day Centers at Bridges of Largo, Largo, Laurel, and Temple Hills will cater in a holiday lunch at the Comfort Inn, in Bowie. And folks in the Day Centers had so much fun at this year's talent show, they are bringing back D.J. John Ford, father of Day Center participant Lashell Ford, to help us rock out after dinner. Additional parties include our House Managers' annual potluck gathering, and our Administrative staff luncheon. All of us at The Arc extend our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season!  
The Arc is a Great Place to Work 
Our latest listing of employment opportunities can be found by clicking here. Please share with your family and friends!

 

Arc Notes is a monthly publication for members and supporters of The Arc Prince George's County. Please feel free to give us feedback by replying to this email. Follow us on all social media outlets for the most current day to day activities here at The Arc. 

The Arc Prince George's County... offering a lifetime of support, understanding, and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The Arc Prince George's County | 301-925-7050 | [email protected] | http://www.thearcofpgc.org
1401 McCormick Drive
Largo, MD 20774



  35% off any one item!  

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All proceeds go to support programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Offer Expires 01/31/2015.  11000 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD (Route 1 across from Costco)
Cannot be combined with any other offer.